In a nutshell, welcome to Jacob Thieneman’s Purdue football career. In his fifth year with the program, that’s been his path. Impressive rise from being considered one of the last players on the roster to an important element of the defense.

The safety had to fight to get noticed as a walk-on. He had to showcase his talents and work ethic to impress the new coaching staff to earn a scholarship. He had to prove to his teammates he was a leader.

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Safety Jacob Thieneman catches his breath during football practice Monday, August 6, 2018, at Purdue.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier, )

And today, this is Thieneman. He's had more than a week to soak up the idea that he’s one of eight team captains leading a program on the rise.

“It’s cool when I sit back and think about it,” the mechanical engineering major said. “I take it very seriously and it means a lot to me.”

All captains earn their position, but Thieneman had to take extra steps. Walk-ons, even former ones, aren’t viewed as captain material. They must get on the field, show they can contribute at a high level and earn the respect of their peers.

All those things happened for Thieneman.

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Anthony Watts, right, celebrates with Jacob Thieneman after the safety recorded a sack.(Photo: Eric Schlene/For the Journal & Courier)

“When you come in as a walk-on, you put your head down and work hard and show what you can do,” said Brennan Thieneman, Jacob’s younger brother and a walk-on safety with the Boilermakers. “You’re not here to tell people what to do, you’re not a leader at that point.

“Once he started getting playing time, started getting recognition, that’s when he started being a leader. The coaches saw him, and he helped put people in the right spot. They saw him as a leader throughout last season and now is a more vocal leader.”

Once Thieneman overcame the stigma of the walk-on label, and demonstrated he was one of the best players at his position in the program, the coaching staff embraced his talents and leadership abilities.

The fact that his teammates elected him a captain says plenty about their opinion of Thieneman, who attended Guerin Catholic.

Jacob Thieneman reacts after sacking Boston College quarterback Anthony Brown in the first half Saturday, September 22, 2018, in Ross-Ade Stadium.(Photo: Frank Oliver for the Journal & Courier, )

“It’s that acceptance that they look at me in that regard from when I was a walk-on — the last guy on the roster,” he said. “I was a practice dummy when I got here. Having that change of mindset of being looked at as a practice player to a leader on the team is a big deal to me.”

When Jeff Brohm took over the program after the 2016 season and put his coaching staff in place, they immediately looked for more talent across the board to infuse into the program.

Thieneman would serve as a short-term solution but could the Boilermakers win with a former walk-on at an important position? Spring practice was more than enough to show his value, which led to a scholarship in the fall.

Safeties coach Anthony Poindexter bypassed watching film of his future players until he met them. And then he put the film in, watching the final game of the 2016 season against Indiana when Thieneman had an interception.

He finished third in tackles last season with 80 and also had two interceptions.

“I thought he could be more physical, more of a leader and an aggressive type of player than the last game he started against Indiana,” Poindexter recalled. “I needed him to be a rock, a tough guy and a smart guy and be a leader.

“Last year, he started in the spring and started showing me, ‘I can play.’ About the time we got to August, he was one of our best players and I’m thinking, ‘I don’t know what we’re going to do without him.’ He’s got talent, he’s got skill and I’ve been around quite a few safeties and he’s right up there with all of them.”

Thieneman enjoys proving everybody wrong.

He’s always had a chip on his shoulder and added a few more during the last five years. Remember, Thieneman didn't get on the field until 2016 - two years after he joined the program.

He doesn’t allow himself to get comfortable, always looking for an edge to create separation.

“My brother and I talk a lot about the whole walk-on thing. It’s a mentality, it’s a mindset,’” Jacob said. “I’m technically not a walk-on anymore. I’m on scholarship, but I still walk on with that walk-on mindset that I was the last guy on the roster.”

It keeps him grounded. It keeps him humble. It keeps him focused.

“I’m not one of those guys who has his head in the clouds, but it helps me coming every day to work, coming every day knowing where I’ve come from,” he said. “I want to keep pushing forward. I don’t want to stop.”

Offensive linemen Dennis Edwards, from left, Kirk Barron and Bearooz Yacoobi listen as head coach Jef Brohm calls a play during Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Running back Evan Anderson with a carry as wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard tries to poke the ball out of his hands during Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Running back Evan Anderson with a carry as wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard tries to poke the ball out of his hands during Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Running back D. J. Knox smiles having gotten past wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard, who was trying to knock the ball out of his hands during Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Kicker Spencer Evans with a field goal attempt with punter Joe Schopper as fellow kicker J.D. Dellinger looks on during Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Kicker Spencer Evans watches his field goal attempt with punter Joe Schopper as fellow kicker J.D. Dellinger looks on during Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Kicker J.D. Dellinger with a field goal attempt with punter Joe Schopper as fellow kicker Spencer Evans looks on during Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Head coach Jeff Brohm, right, and wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard get set to scrimmage the offense and defense during Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Offensive lineman Matt McCann matches up with defensive end Robert McWilliams III during scrimmage at Purdue football practice Friday, August 10, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

The chip — or chips — have been on Jacob’s shoulders for as long as Brennan can remember. Even as his playing time and responsibilities have increased, the motivation only grows.

“He’s been undervalued, especially coming to this program,” Brennan said. “That’s why he has a chip on his shoulder. He wanted to prove to everyone. He’s a very competitive guy. He’s always setting new goals. He’s never content where he is. If he gets to one spot, he’s trying to get to the next one.”

The next step is proving to everyone outside the program that this year’s defense can equal or surpass what the unit accomplished a year ago. Thieneman has already heard the doubters.

“Personally, that’s extremely motivating. I love it when people doubt me. Not like I’ve never experienced that before," he said, with a smile. "I take that and run with it. I look at it as we’re out here to shock the world.

“I can’t put a chip on someone else’s shoulder. We’re not just going to roll over and accept our fate. We’re going to come out and ball. We’re going to work our tails off to show everybody what we can do.”